The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana as the country’s new Interior Secretary.
The Senate voted 68-31 in favour of Zinke, including the yes votes of 17 Democratic senators.
Many nominees of President Donald Trump received little or no support from the opposition party.
However, Zinke convinced senators during his confirmation hearing that he is a solid choice for the job.
Before his appointment, he was a passionate mountain climber and former college athlete who earned a degree in geology before going on to become a Navy SEAL.
His duties as interior minister include maintaining the natural beauty of U.S. public land, including the country’s national parks, and permitting drilling for fossil fuel, including the controversial practice of fracking.
Zinke is also responsible for doing away with regulations so that the use of land benefits Americans.
Executive orders related to this goal are expected in the coming days.
Zinke promised during his confirmation hearing to review actions limiting oil and gas drilling in Alaska, saying he rejected Trump’s past comment that climate change is a hoax.
The Senate is expected to vote later on the nomination of Ben Carson to be Trump’s housing and urban development secretary. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/HA